Tampa Bay Pregame

When the 5-6 Saints battle against Tampa Bay, a playoff spot will all to familiarly, very prematurely be on the line. I would say get ready for an offensive show, but I don’t know which side of the Rex Grossman-like Drew Brees will show up, or what side the the O-line for that matter. We do know that Joey Galloway will get at least 4,263 touchdowns in this game. We can’t have our 600th bad day tomorrow on offense with him.

Pregame Analysis:

In Week 2, Tampa Bay WR Joey Galloway hauled in four catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns in the Bucs’ 31-14 rout of the Saints.

The Saints have won two of the past three meetings to extend their overall series lead to 19-12. (The only head-to-head series the Saints lead in their franchise history against any NFL team)
At Stake
This game holds major importance for New Orleans. With a victory they can move to within one game of the NFC South leading Bucs and could potentially even take over the final wild card spot in the playoff race. … For Tampa Bay, this contest also has significant ramifications. A win would pretty much wrap up the division title and thus they would be close to securing a home playoff game.

Key Matchup
Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber vs. Saints wide receiver Marques Colston. Barber continues to be a stalwart for the Bucs defense. His interception of Jason Campbell late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game gave him a team record 32nd and also helped preserve the Bucs’ win. He also shares the franchise record for defensive touchodnws with eight after returning a fumble two weeks ago to help fuel Tampa Bay’s defeat of Atlanta. Against Colston he will face one of the NFL’s hottest receivers. After a slow start, Colston has come on big time and has 85-plus receiving yards in five straight games. His emergence has coincided with that of the Saints’ offense. In order for New Orleans to knock off Tampa Bay, Colston will likely have to win his individual battle with Barber more times than not.